"All ya trainin' has been leadin' ta dis moment," Vukalai explained. "It be time ta venture ta First Home."

Within their family hut, Dal'bin, now a young teenager, nodded at the words of his father. He stood confidently next to his older sister, who kept her gaze down at the wooden floor. Next to Vukalai, Mulwan glanced at the two siblings, visibly concerned. Their father grinned, pacing in front of his children. He and his son were confident about the upcoming trial, while his daughter was nervous and his old friend was clearly worried. The young troll was unsure why Jamesa was nervous or his mentor concerned. All of their training throughout the years has been leading to this moment.

First Home was a jungle deep within the Darkspear Islands where those wishing to become shadow hunter must venture through. It is there where the trolls were judged by the loas. Their gods might grant boons or inflict curses upon any who dare to tread across the jungle. Not only that, but First Home was home to many deadly creatures and flora. While there was no accounting for how the loas would judge them, Dal'bin and Jamesa have been training since they could walk. They would be able to defend themselves from any creatures.

"Vukalai, old friend, I must advise that we put dis on hold," Mulwan spoke, stepping forward. "Can't ya see dat dey are not old enough. Ya be sendin' ya children ta dere deaths!"

"I be sendin' dem ta dere destiny," Vukalai grinned. "Tell him, my children."

"I will not disappoint ya, father," Dal'bin insisted. "When next ya see me, I will be a shadow hunter."

"I will do my best," Jamesa joined in, rubbing one arm while trying not to look at her father.

"Do ya not believe dat ya trainin' dem has prepared dem for dis?" Vukalai questioned his friend harshly. "Dey be ready."

"Dey need ta grow up," Mulwan sighed.

"If dey pass da trials, dey will be legends in da tribe," Vukalai argued. "Da youngest shadow hunters ta walk da land! Dey be prodigiies, and dis test will prove dat ta be true!"

"Dere be no convincin' ya otherwise," Mulwan sighed. "Stay safe, children."

"We won't let ya down, father," Dal'bin assured.

Jamesa only nodded, too nervous to speak. Vukalai stepped out of the way, allowing for his children to leave. Dal'bin stepped forward without hesitation, and within a few moments, he had left his home. His sister was quick to follow him, but stood behind him for the most part. The young troll was convinced that his destiny was to be a shadow hunter. The only obstacle he faced was traveling through First Home. Surely, the loas would see his worth.

The sound of a quiet knock upon the door woke Dal'bin from his restless slumber. He sat up in his bed, tossing the linen blankets off him. His chest was covered in sweat, as if he had just witnessed his worst nightmare. Before resting, he tossed the upper portion of his leather armor into the corner, along with his sharpened spear and rifle. He wore only his leather pants to bed. He sat on the edge of the mattress, the window lighting the dark, wooden room from the sky of the devastated world.

Once more, there was a quiet, nearly silent knock on the door. Dal'bin was accustomed to the slightest of sounds waking him up. Such an ability was necessary for his survival. Over at the other bed, Oliktalv slept, letting out an occasional snore that the troll had grown used to. With his commander making no move to answer the door, the scout would have to take action. He sat up from his bed and made his way silently over to the door, opening it quickly to see Finnal on the other sand.

"Oh, uh, Dal'bin, I wasn't expecting you to be…" Finnal's cheeks turned a deeper shade of purple as she looked away from her friend.

"Ya be awake, mon?" Dal'bin questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I haven't gone to sleep yet," Finnal admitted. "There's just something on the back of mine. Something I need to address. But, well, we can do it another time."

"Ya need me for dis?" Dal'bin asked.

"I do, but it looks like you're already getting some sleep," Finnal sighed. "We can talk later.

"We'll talk now," Dal'bin told her bluntly. "What is it ya need ta talk about?"

"Should we be worried about Oliktalv?" Finnal took a brief glance past Dal'bin.

"He's a heavy sleeper," Dal'bin shrugged.

"Go and put something on and meet me outside, please," Finnal turned around and walked off. "I need to show you something."

Dal'bin did not bother to close the door after she left. There would be no point if he was just going to leave in another minute or two. He did not worry about being silent when it came to putting on his armor and holstering his spear across his back. Oliktalv continued to snore, oblivious to the movements of his scout. He left the room, armed and dressed, and closed the door behind him. In the next room over, Kelvin was awake, tinkering with a device on a table, but otherwise offered no reaction to the scout. With nothing stopping him, Dal'bin departed from the lodge.

Finnal was not waiting outside of the lodge as Dal'bin expected. Thanks to his sharp eyes, he was able to make out her form at another edge of the refuge, preparing to leave. It took little time for the troll to catch up with her. The night elf turned around and smiled at her friend. She no longer seemed nervous or awkward like when she woke him up just a few minutes ago. The scout only nodded in response back to her greeting, unsure of what had changed.

"So, what is it ya wanted ta show me?" Dal'bin asked.

"Oh, it's not here," Finnal explained. "It's further in Zangarmarsh. Think you can keep up?"

"With what ya be wearin', yeah," Dal'bin nodded.

"Is there something wrong with my robes?" Finnal looked down at her clothing.

"Not really, but dey not be best for travelin' through da land," Dal'bin explained. "Dey limit ya movement. Leather armor provides protection and greater mobility."

"I suppose you have a point," Finnal chuckled. "Well, if that's the case, you're really going to have to try your best to keep up."

Finnal spread her arms out wildly, and without warning, fell back into the stream of water behind her. The moment her back touched the water, her form shift. Her arms became fins, her legs were conjoined into a tail, and her skin became smooth as rubber. No longer was the druid an elf, but now a sea lion, a creature Dal'bin had encountered on a few occasions. She swam away, beckoning for her friend to follow. The troll smirked, glad to have some challenge, and raced after the fast moving swimmer.

Dal'bin jumped from island to island, careful not to fall into the chilled water. Insects chirped all around them, with stingray like creatures floating about in the sky harmlessly. The scout was careful to weave around the giant mushrooms, which nearly glowed in the dark sky. Strangely enough, the troll found himself at peace while running through the land. The troll was reminded of the vast jungles of his childhood home, which spurred him to greater lengths. On land, he was able to keep up with Finnal, who was a natural swimmer in her beast form.

Eventually, after a few good minutes of their race, Finnal leapt out of the water, shifting back to her elven form. Her hair and robes were drenched when she slammed into the cold ground, and when she sat up, she started to wring her silver hair dry. Dal'bin took a few steps towards her to help her from the ground, but his eyes were drawn to what was behind her. Slowly, he made his way past the druid, whose eyes followed her friend. He weaved his way past a mushroom, and gasped quietly at the sight.

Before him, the lush, vibrant life of the swamps had turned into a gray wasteland. The mushrooms around the region had decayed, and some even toppled over. Where a lake once was only had a large crater in place. A large, complex machine was to the side of the crater, a pump extending down to the center of where the lake once was. Dal'bin was devastated by the sight. Where nature once thrived, the land had now resembled the desolate wastes of Hellfire Peninsula. Zangarmarsh was one of the few places in this world where life flowed. To see it like the rest of the dead world was a blow to the scout.

"Dis can't be real," Dal'bin muttered.

"It is real, Dal'bin," Finnal walked next to her friend silently, her wet arm brushing against his side. "I saw this on the way back, and talked to Ysiel about what it was. This is the result of the naga draining the marshes. They're doing this across the region, and the Cenarion Expedition lacks the power to stop them. That's why we need to take a stand against them. This is why we need to stay and help."

Dal'bin heard her voice crack during the end of her explanation, and turned to face her. He saw tears stream down her closed eyes, the loss of life affecting her greater than him. Of course, that was to be expected. As a druid, it was her duty to protect nature, and the Vanguard was divided on what to do. Slowly, he reached out to her, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. The night elf turned to face him, forcing a smile upon her lips. Then, without warning, her form shifted as she took flight as a raven, leaving the scout by himself.

Dal'bin was at a crossroads on what to do now. On one hand, it was his duty to follow the command of Oliktalv. He owed the orc his life, and would follow him wherever he would go. The commander was insistent on leaving Zangarmarsh behind in favor of facing Illidan sooner than later. It was possible that he did not even had any interest in dealing with the naga. All the warrior had to do was give the word, and the scout would follow him.

Yet, Dal'bin knew someone needed to take a stand against the naga. They dared to drain the resources and ecology of the land, and would pay. When the troll thought more on it, he came upon another realization. Those he was closest to in the Vanguard had voted for saving Zangarmarsh, while his superiors voted against. After a moment of thought, he knew what to do. He made his way back to the Cenarion Refuge to rest for tomorrow's vote, not having the strength to glance back upon the devastation of the land.

A/N: What's this? Two chapters in one update? Well, I did promise that I would make up for my absence, and I keep my promises. Hope you enjoy having two chapters tonight.

Until next time.